Thursday, April 2, 2009

Since the blizzard of 2009 kept me from getting a Weekend Roundup last week I'll cover the last two weeks of games. Luckily last week was a FIFA International date so Blackburn and Queen of the South didn't play.

Colorado Rapids - With their 1-0-1 start the Rapids find themselves right in the middle of the pack in MLS. They are tied with San Jose for 3rd int he West and 6th overall in the league. They are tied for the 8th best offense and defense. Seattle currently leads all categories after handling both RBNY and FSL with ease in their first two games (How's that Rob?).Queen of the South - Two Saturdays ago QoS hosted Livingston at Palmerston Park. Queens controlled the game from end to end, opening up a 2 goal lead, then taking a 3-1 lead with only 5 minutes to play. Somehow Livingston managed to score twice after the 88th minute though, including the final goal on a PK to escape out of Dumfries with a point. 2 points given away by Queens at a time where they need every point. Queen of the South is in 8th place, 5 points above the relegation playoff line with 6 games to play.

Blackburn Rovers - Rovers hosted West Ham United (former home of Rapids keeper Ian Feuer) at Ewood Park a week and a half ago. Blackburn continues their trend of giving up the first goal, this time conceding in the 35th minute. The game was end to end but Blackburn could capitalize until shortly after the break when they equalized off a Keith Andrews goal. Rovers would continue to push for the winning goal, but couldn't break through the stingy Hammers defense and they had to settle for the home draw. The 2 missed points may become vital by the end of the season. With 8 games to play Blackburn sits in 17th place, 2 points from the relegation zone and 1 point behind 3 other teams. There are only 7 points separating 12th from 19th place, so nobody in the bottom half is truly safe yet.

CD Tenerife - 2 weeks ago CDT travelled to Salamanca on the mainland where Nino grabbed a brace, one in each half, to lead Tenerife to a 2-1 road victory and continue their challenge on the Segunda Division title. Last weekend Tenerife played at home on Sunday, and leaders Xerez lost on Saturday so CDT went into the game knowing a win over Cordoba would see them go top of the table. The first half saw some quality chances for both sides, but neither team could break through and the teams went to the locker rooms scoreless. That wouldn't last long though as Alfaro hit twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half to give CDT the 2-0 lead. That's all they needed as the fans partied and Tenerife took their place at the top of the table. With 12 games to play they have a 1 point lead, and they are 3 points from the 4th place team, which is outside the promotion zone. Might we be seeing the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid making the trek to the Canary Islands next season?

Kildare County - It has been a very, very bad pair of games for Kildare County over the last two weeks. First County travelled to Longford Town only to lose 4-0. Then Kildare hosted Sporting Fingal and lost 8-0 at home. No that's not a typo, they gave up 8 goals at home. That's the worst ever home defeat for the team. Not surprisingly after games like that, the Thoroughbreds are sitting on the bottom of the table with only 1 point from their first 4 games and a -14 goal differential. With results like this you have to wonder what the board was thinking trying to get the team back into the First Division this year. If things don't turn around quickly we can expect a more lasting relegation at the end of the season.